Among the traffic jams that I have been forced to witness in the capital in the last 10 years, Thursday’s (July 9) was the worst. The overzealously VVIP security-obsessed home ministry, paranoid police, an insensitive president’s office and a ritual managed to create one of the worst traffic jams in the capital in many years.
Will the authorities causing the traffic jam take the responsibility if a patient suffers irreparable damage because s/he could not reach hospital on time? What if a critically-ill person dies because s/he is not able to get treatment on time?
Just like who’s who in a high-profile gathering, the traffic jam was seen in many sections of the Kathmandu Valley: Chabahil, Gaushala and Old Baneshwar; Lazimpat, Lainchaur, Thamel and Ratna Park; New Baneshwar, Maitighar, Thapathali, Kupandol, Tripureshwar and Teku, besides Putalisadak and Kamaladi.
The ceremonial ride of President Dr Ram Baran Yadav from Singha Durbar to the Legislature-Parliament and back in similar fashion exacerbated the problem. The police had started clearing the roads more than an hour before the president stepped out of his residence-cum-office at Maharajgunj. He was due to read the government’s programs and policies at 4 p.m. in the parliament. Kathmandu and Lalitpur were still reeling under the traffic bottlenecks at many intersections when the president finished reading the government’s outlook for the year ahead. Soon after the return journey of the president started. The result was a nightmare for everyone except the president’s motorcade.
People who were stuck either honked their horns in protest or hurled choicest of abuses at the president. The traffic jam on Thursday could not have occurred had the authorities displayed pragmatism and sensitivity.
Our politicians – irrespective of the positions they occupy – have a very common and widespread sickness: They cannot control the desire of being watched by public while they are traveling. It does not matter to them even if the people are stranded.
I happened to witness at least one ambulance stuck at Thapathali. It came from Tripureshwar side. The driver continued to honk the horn; there was no alternative but to remain stuck.
Will the authorities causing the traffic jam take the responsibility if a patient suffers irreparable damage because s/he could not reach hospital on time? What if a critically-ill person dies because s/he is not able to get treatment on time?
This insensitivity from the president who does not fail to remind anyone who visits him about his humble roots is beyond comprehension. The head of state turned out to be no different from politicians who are consistent, and united, about one factor: Failing to match their action with their words. This malady is very deep and affects nearly all politicians irrespective of the political spectrum they represent. Everybody loves to see an exasperated public even if they are muttering silent as well as audible curses at those responsible for their plight. The narcissistic tendency is now going beyond control.
The police and the Home Ministry displayed once again their incompetence. In the name of providing security, they always manage to complicate a situation. What on earth do they hope to achieve by clearing the roads along which the president’s motorcade passes at least an hour before the first of the vehicles even comes into sight at any particular place along the route? This whole nonsense about VVIP security started during the Panchayat time when sycophantic government officials wanted to please the traveling royals. Monarchy is gone but pomposity attached with it still exists.
The ex-royals were oblivious to people’s discomfort. But the president, his staff and the government are displaying the same “we don’t care” attitude. It is difficult to believe that they are unaware of the plight of the people due to road obstructions, irrespective of what causes it.
A few weeks back, I had written about the lack of empathy and sensitivity in our political class. It is very deep-rooted. If only they could be empathic and sensitive toward their fellow citizens, they can avoid the compulsion of making tall promises. But let me not delve into this malady among our politicians.
This is about road blocks caused by those responsible to remove the very obstructions.
Recently, the government warned that it will deal stringently with anyone creating road obstructions. The people can only wish that this is not yet another lip service. But the government can lead by example by putting an end to the needless fanfare surrounding VVIP travel in the capital and outside.
I hope this is not asking too much.
damakant@myrepublica.com
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